Dubai Duty Free sales top $874 million in H1 2013

Dubai Duty Free has announced a 13% increase in sales with turnover reaching $874 million (AED3.2 billion) for the first six months of the year. The figures signal an excellent prospect for the retailer’s 30th year of business, with an anticipated turnov er of $1.8 billion this year.

Perfumes, liquor and gold retained the top three category positions with perfumes in particular showing strong growth with a sales increase of 18% to $136 million (AED496 million) year to date, while gold retained its third position showing an increase of 13% to $88 million (AED322 million). Sales of tobacco were up by 13% to $74 million (AED269 million) while confectionery was up by 15% to $71 million (AED258 million) accounting for 8% of the total revenue.

Other notable increases in sales were seen in cosmetics and watches which rose by 17% and 22%, respectively, over the same period last year. Moreover, departure sales have increased by 13% compared to the same period in 2012 and similarly sales in arrivals and public shops have shown an increase of 15% and 24%, respectively.

“We are pleased that 2013 is shaping up to be such a positive year for Dubai Duty Free as we have seen an increase in consumer spending across all categories, with average spend per departing passenger at $48. We are looking forward to an equally busy period in the second half of the year. Plans are very much in place for the opening of retail operation at Al Maktoum International in October 2013 and we are busy working towards the planning of the new retail area with the opening of Concourse D,” says Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman of Dubai Duty Free.